Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism

Freed from Sin

Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today, the sacrament of baptism is often performed on infants, shortly after birth. Adult baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Adults or children who have been baptized in a valid Christian church are not baptized again in the Catholic church. As we say in the Nicene Creed, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”

The Catechism teaches:

"The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ" (CCC 1279).

Baptismal Symbols

• Water – The waters of baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. We are washed clean of sin.
• Oil – At baptism we are anointed into the life of Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as a reminder that we are inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
• Light – The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal or Easter candle that stands in the church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.
• White garment – The white garment that is placed upon us at baptism is a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. Likewise, the white garment or pall that is placed over the coffin at the time of death recalls our baptismal promises and reminds us that we are destined for eternal life.



While in ordinary circumstances, sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation, the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone.

In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pour water on the candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).

Baptism at our parish

Baptisms are scheduled on Saturdays at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Church pending our priests' availability.

Arrangements for Infant Baptism must be made in advance by contacting Cathy Kusman-Kelly, Faith Formation Director, at 719-633-8711 x 105 or formationdirector@sacredheartcos.org. A date for the Baptism can be scheduled after all the required paperwork has been returned to the Faith Formation Office.

Baptisms are not scheduled during Lent.

We request that parents requesting the Sacrament of Baptism for their child be registered with our parish.
Parents are also required to attend a Baptism Preparation Class prior to the baptism. Classes are offered one Sunday a month, 1:30-3:30 pm in the Parish Center. Registration prior to attending the class is required. For the schedule and to register for Baptism Preparation Class, contact Cathy Kusman-Kelly, Faith Formation Director, at 719-633-8711 x 105 or formationdirector@sacredheartcos.org.


The Church requirements for parents presenting their child for baptism are:

1. Parents are to meet with the Faith Formation Director to discuss the choice of Godparents, select a baptismal date, and complete the Baptism Registration Form.
2. Parents are encouraged to register as members of Sacred Heart Parish and participate as active members of the parish community to the best of their abilities.
3. During the initial meeting with the Faith Formation Director, parents will select a tentative baptism date for their child, this date will not be scheduled by the parish until both the Parents and Godparents have attended the baptism preparation class and all paperwork (baptismal registration form and godparent forms) are received by the Faith Formation Office.
4. For the Baptismal liturgy, if the baptism is during Mass, then the family may invite a visiting priest to preside over the baptism itself only if there is prior approval by Sacred Heart Parish. Any visiting priest from outside the Diocese of Colorado Springs must present a letter of good standing from their bishop conferring the faculty to baptize in this diocese. Unless otherwise approved by the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, all visiting priests that are invited to baptize a child will be asked to baptize the child outside of Mass during on the first Saturday of the month at 10 am.
5. Baptisms scheduled for 10:00 am on Saturday morning are only celebrated outside of Mass, even if a visiting priest is celebrating the baptism.
6. Parents are expected to present their child for baptism as part of a life of religious education and formation; this includes attending Mass as a family and sharing the Catholic faith within the family.
7. Parents and Godparents are required to attend a baptismal preparation class, unless they have attended a baptism class within the last two years.

• If Parents/ Godparents are unable to attend a baptism class at Sacred Heart Parish, they are required to complete a baptism preparation class at their local parish at least FOUR weeks prior to the scheduled date of baptism.
• Proof of attendance/ certificate of completion must be sent to formationdirector@sacredheartcos.org no later than FOUR weeks prior to the scheduled date of baptism.

The Church requirements for Catholic Godparents are:

1. A child must have at least one practicing Catholic Godparent in good standing with the Church. Good standing is defined as: regularly attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and living a life in accordance with the teachings of the Church to the best of their abilities. Godparents are encouraged to register at the parish they attended most frequently and participate in that community to the best of their abilities. 
2. Godparents must be at least 16 years old and be mature enough to understand, accept and carry out the duties of a Godparent.
3. A Godparent must have received the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
4. A Godparent must complete the Godparent Affidavit no later than FOUR weeks prior to the scheduled date of baptism.
5. If the Godparent is not currently registered at a Catholic Parish (due to military service, recently relocating, or pursuing their education) then they may: Complete the Godparent Affidavit AND submit a copy of their official sacramental record to Sacred Heart Parish. This can be obtained from their parish of baptism. This must be done no later than FOUR weeks prior to the scheduled date of baptism.
6. A non-Catholic, baptized Christian may be chosen as a Christian Witness, as long as one Godparent is Catholic.
7. There are to be no more than TWO individuals chosen as sponsors for the child to be baptized.

• For example, there may be two godparents or one godparent and one Christian Witness.